Pupils could be taught in larger classes and more temporary buildings amid ‘emergency’ shortfall of school places - 31st August 2018

‘It’s unacceptable that many families could face the anxiety of not securing a school place’.

More pupils could be taught in larger classes and temporary buildings in the wake of a secondary-school places “emergency” which council leaders warn could leave thousands in limbo.

Over half of councils in England are at risk of not keeping up with demand over the next five years – leaving nearly 134,000 children with no school places, the Local Government Association (LGA) says.

Schools will find it harder to exclude children with special needs after landmark ruling - 14th August 2018

It is 'repugnant' to see aggressive behaviour as 'criminal' when linked to pupil's condition.

Schools attempting to exclude poorly-behaved children with special educational needs will need to make adjustments to support pupils before they can exclude them, a court has ruled.

The landmark judgment will make it harder for schools to exclude children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) because of their challenging behaviour, which could be a direct result of their disability.

Funding boost for the arts to support talented pupils - 10th April 2018

School Standards Minister Nick Gibb announces £96 million to support talented music, drama and dance pupils kick-start their career in the arts.

New funding to support talented music, drama and dance pupils to realise their potential and kick-start a career in the arts has been announced by the School Standards Minister Nick Gibb today (Tuesday 10 April). This is a further boost to the arts, which has already seen substantial investment in music hubs for the next two years.

Social Work England: consultation on secondary legislative framework - 8th February 2018

The Children and Social Work Act 2017 sets out the broad legal framework for Social Work England. Social Work England will be the new professional regulator for social workers in England. It will undertake core regulatory functions including:

Plans unveiled to ensure 'every child will get the best literacy teaching' - 6th January 2018

Phonics roadshows and English hubs are among a range of measures announced by the Government in a bid to improve child literacy.

The programmes will form part of the drive to tackle inequality and ensure "every child will get the best literacy teaching", Education Secretary Justine Greening said.

The Department for Education said a £7.7 million curriculum fund will aim to encourage the development of high quality teaching resources, while it is hoped a £5.7 million investment will help boost literacy and numeracy skills in 469 schools around the country.

Pre-teen children are "ill-equipped" for the pressures of using social media apps and must be taught about their emotional impact as they transition to secondary school, the children's commissioner for England has said.

Under 13s face "an avalanche of pressure" and increasing anxiety over their online image with more and more using social media apps that are not designed for their age, according to a key study.

The Department for Education invites your views on changes to the statutory guidance Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE) and a new departmental non-statutory advice document covering sexual violence and sexual harassment between children in schools and colleges.

From September, working parents of three and four year olds in England will be entitled to 30 hours' free childcare a week. But how do you know if you are eligible and what is the process for applying?

What is 30 hours' free childcare

The government is doubling the universal entitlement of 15 hours' free childcare, which is available for all three and four year olds. It is funded during term time only - so 38 weeks of the year - but parents can chose whether to use it as 30 hours per week during term time or 22.8 hours per week across 50 weeks of the year.

'If we can save one life, it's worth it' - defibrillator donated to school in memory of James - 25th January 2019

Staff at Ormiston Meridian Academy in Meir are being trained to use the equipment.

Staff at a Stoke-on-Trent school are being trained in a vital life-saving technique after charity officials handed over a state-of-the-art defibrillator.

The equipment – which gives an electric shock to help restore the natural heart rhythm if someone goes into cardiac arrest – has been donated to Ormiston Meridian Academy at Meir, by SADS (Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome) UK.

Former care home could become special school if plans get go ahead - 5th January 2019

A former Stafford care home could be transformed into a school for children with special educational needs if plans are given the green light.

Kidsgrove-based SEN 1 Ltd, which already runs special schools in Kidsgrove and Cheddleton, has applied to Stafford Borough Council for permission to change the use of New Burton House in Burton Bank Lane.

This college is serving up FREE breakfasts to improve attendance among students (...and there are also 'financial rewards') - 1st January 2019

Ofsted inspectors say Stoke-on-Trent College is making 'reasonable progress' in addressing under-achievement.

A college is helping to improve student attendance by offering free breakfasts and financial rewards.

These are just some of the approaches used by Stoke-on-Trent College to address issues with teenagers skipping class. Now an Ofsted monitoring report has found ‘modest’ improvements in attendance, although it is still too low in English and maths lessons.

During the last few months pupils at St Edward’s Church of England Academy in Leek have been searching through cook books, experimenting with spices and combining flavours to enter a cooking competition.

The pupils’ families have been the guinea pigs of their trial menu combinations and had to provide constructive feedback when recipes haven’t quite tasted or looked like they should.

SIX new classrooms coming to Stoke-on-Trent's most popular school in £1.2m expansion - 12th November 2018

Demand has been high for places at Sneyd Green's Excel Academy.

Plans have been approved for a new £1.2 million teaching block at the city’s most oversubscribed school. The extension at The Excel Academy, in Sneyd Green, will see an extra six classrooms created and more storage facilities.

It will also reduce the time that pupils have to spend walking from one part of the site to another as more of their lessons will be based in the same building. At the moment, some of the corridors are becoming heavily congested at lessons change-over and break times.

£1 million cash boost for Stoke-on-Trent to help children develop life skills - 16th October 2018

A dozen projects will share Government funding to help young people across the city. Teams of pupils from across the city will be going head to head to design a modern dinner set as part of a major ceramics challenge.

The enterprise scheme is one of 12 Stoke-on-Trent projects picked to share in £1 million of Government ‘life skills’ funding. Others range from using voluntary work and sport to steer teenagers away from gang culture through to training up secondary students to run primary school science clubs.

This Stoke-on-Trent school now offers FREE breakfast to all 650 students - 14th September 2018

Thistley Hough Academy is one of the first schools in the country to offer a morning meal to every student. Hundreds of students at a Stoke-on-Trent high school can now start the day with a free breakfast.

Thistley Hough Academy, in Penkhull, is one of the first schools across England to offer all 650 children a nutritious morning meal of toast and cereal.

Look who's opened new swimming pool at this Stoke-on-Trent school! - 12th September 2018

Olympic gold medallist Adam Peaty is calling for swimming to be taught in school. Olympic gold medallist Adam Peaty has called on the Government to invest more in school sport after officially opening a new swimming pool for primary pupils.

The 23-year-old swimming powerhouse was invited to cut the ribbon at Sandon Primary Academy, in Meir, today as a sea of excited young faces cheered him on.

Can an unused caretaker's house be the 'therapeutic' hub parents at this school are after? - 24th August 2018

The project at Portland School in Blythe Bridge has seen organisers look for funding and sponsorship. Staff and parents at a special needs school are looking to embark on a fund-raising drive to transform a former caretaker’s home into a new hub.

The redundant home in the grounds of Blythe Bridge’s Portland School and Specialist College has been earmarked to help provide ‘therapeutic sessions’ and family support initiatives.

And there is also a vision to create a sensory garden and vegetable patch on the Uttoxeter Road site.

The proportion of strong passes has also risen at schools across Staffordshire and South Cheshire. Education leaders today welcomed big improvements in GCSE maths across Stoke-on-Trent in the wake of a citywide campaign.

Provisional results show 39.9 per cent of Potteries pupils achieved strong passes in maths – up 3.7 per cent on last year. And six out of 10 of them gained grade 4 or above, which is classed as a standard pass and is equivalent to a C under the old exams system.

It's official! This Stoke-on-Trent nursery has been rated outstanding by Ofsted - 30th June 2018

Little Sandon, in Meir, was initially set up a a creche for the children of school staff.

A nursery which began life as a creche for teachers returning to work after having babies is now celebrating outstanding marks in its first inspection.

The Ofsted report praises the ‘inspirational’ teaching at Little Sandon, in Meir, along with children’s ‘exceptional’ progress and behaviour, and the efforts of staff who go ‘above and beyond’ to help youngsters.

Ofsted inspectors have praised effective and innovative work, and knowledgeable and skilled staff in supporting vulnerable children in Stoke-on-Trent.

Two inspectors from the government service carried out a two-day visit of Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s services for vulnerable adolescents in April. The visit focused on children and young people who are being, or who are at risk of being sexually and criminally exploited, those missing from home and care, and young people associated with gangs.

They found that children in the city ‘benefit from a well-co-ordinated array of services that provide help at an early stage’. The inspectors were particularly impressed with the council’s prompt and effective action in quickly identifying children who go missing, strong partnership work with a range of agencies, and the authority’s trialling of different ways of working to deliver effective support to children and schools.

Fears raised over £5.5 million special education funding black hole in Stoke-on-Trent - 3rd May 2018

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is planning new special schools to cut amount spent on service. Councillors fear services could suffer if a £5.5 million black hole in special education funding is not filled.

Managers at Stoke-on-Trent City Council say it is proving ‘extremely challenging’ to deliver the service within budget, having used now-depleted reserves to meet deficits in previous years.

The authority has unveiled plans to expand special school provision within the city in order to cut the amount spent on costly independent sector places – which is a major drain on council resources.

People needing support for drug or alcohol misuse are set to benefit from a new service in Stoke-on-Trent - 27th April 2018

City council Cabinet members this week gave agreement to begin the procurement for one integrated community drug and alcohol service in the city to last for the next five years. This will give improved long-term support for people in need and will ensure stability, be more consistent and effective, and deliver more value for money.

Following detailed consultation with partners, service users and staff, the proposal is to bring together three existing services including the Community Drug and Alcohol Service (CDAS), Inpatient Detoxification Service and Stoke Recovery Service under the new contract arrangements.

What to do if your child hasn't got a place at your preferred school choice - 15th April 2018

This week parents across the country will find out if their child has secured a place at their preferred choice of school. Parents will find out if they secured a place at their preferred choice on Monday 16th April.

All children born between September 1, 2013 and August 31 2014 are eligible for a September school place this year.

And, despite a fall in the number applicants for the 2018/19 academic year, The Good Schools Guide predicts that many children – as many as 60,000 – will miss out on their preferred schools.

REVEALED: Plans for two new schools and proposals to expand four others in the city - 27th March 2018

Major plans have been unveiled to open two new special schools and expand four others to help meet soaring demand for pupils who need extra support.

It comes as Stoke-on-Trent City Council has experienced a 35 per cent increase in young people requiring either old-style special needs statements or the new education, health and care plans in the last four years.

Debt-ridden Stoke-on-Trent College in bid for £21.9m bailout - but what could it mean for the 8,000 students? - 13th February 2018

The cash would enable the college to wipe out what it owes and be granted a 'fresh start'.

Stoke-on-Trent College has applied for £21.9 million of Government support so it can wipe out millions of pounds of debt. The move forms part of plans to give it a ‘fresh start’ that could also see the further education institution re-launched under a new name.

The novel has been written by pupils from Blurton's Sutherland Primary Academy and has now been published.

Ten classmates who teamed up to write a novel are now hoping to hit the children’s bestseller list after the book went on sale. The Mystery of the Purple Planet is largely set in Stoke-on-Trent and features Queen Victoria and a host of other colourful characters.

Damian Hinds has also praised the outstanding work at Sandon Primary Academy, in Meir, during a visit to Stoke-on-Trent.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds has backed plans to extend a ‘holiday hunger’ scheme in Stoke-on-Trent which could see thousands of pupils have access to free meals and learning activities during the school holidays.

The project was initially piloted over the six-week summer break last year after being championed by Stoke-on-Trent North MP Ruth Smeeth and local businesses.

'Book bench' trail to bring reading to life across Stoke-on-Trent - 6th February 2018

A story trail is set to be created around Stoke-on-Trent featuring 30 book-shaped benches inspired by children’s favourite characters and novels.

Each seat will be illustrated with a different book theme to help capture the magic of reading for young people. Families will be able to pick up a map to track down the venues in and around the six towns. Locations could include museums, shopping centres, libraries, children's centres and even places of worship.

The project has been dreamt up as part of the Stoke Reads campaign and organisers are now appealing to businesses to kick-start it.

It's official! This city nursery has been rated as OUTSTANDING by Ofsted - 31st January 2018

Inspectors said the behaviour of children at the Orange Tree Day Nursery, in Hartshill, was 'exemplary'.

A ‘first class’ nursery where children make ‘exceptionally high rates of progress’ has been rated as outstanding. Staff at Orange Tree Day Nursery, in Hartshill, are celebrating after receiving the top rating for the first time following an Ofsted inspection.

Children as young as eight will be able to get involved in the summer fun across Staffordshire.

Children as young as eight will get to experience a summer of fun activities with the expansion of the popular Space scheme. The programme - originally organised by police in Staffordshire during the '80s and '90s - is aimed at giving young people something to do during the school summer holidays.

The Government has picked Stoke-on-Trent as one of 12 'opportunity areas' across the country.

Primary pupils will be offered careers advice and be encouraged to run their own mini-businesses as part of a £6 million plan to transform education across the city. The ideas are linked to Stoke-on-Trent’s status as an ‘opportunity area’, which will trigger extra Government investment over the next three years.

Schools and colleges across the city are being encouraged to put their top talent forward, from singers and guitarists to pianists.

Organised by the city council-run City Music Service, the Stoke-on-Trent Young Musician of the Year 2018 competition will see preliminary rounds held on January 29, 30 and 31, with the final at the Bridge Centre, in Birches Head, on April 27.

Thirteen-year-old Ashley Moran has championed the views of young people in the city at a UK Youth Parliament debate.

Ashley is Stoke-on-Trent’s Member of Youth Parliament and used the debate to raise awareness and increase support for young carers, which was added to the national UK Youth Parliament manifesto at its annual sitting in Liverpool Hope University in July. Ashley also gave his support for Stoke-on-Trent’s bid to become the UK City of Culture in 2021.

Iconic ceramic poppies are coming to Stoke-on-Trent for SIX weeks next summer - 18th October 2017

Thousands of ceramic poppies handcrafted in Stoke-on-Trent for the focal point of the UK’s Great War centenary commemorations are to go on display in the city next year. Middleport Pottery has been chosen to host the world-famous poppies for six weeks from August 2 to September 16.

Number of apprenticeship starts FALL since introduction of levy in April - 17th October 2017

New figures have revealed a dramatic fall in the number of apprenticeship starts – since the introduction of the apprenticeship levy.

Statistics from the Department for Education (DfE) show that - across the UK - there were just 43,600 apprenticeship starts between May and July this year, compared to 113,000 for the same period last year.

The Boards of South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (SSSFT) and Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Partnership NHS Trust (SSOTP) have agreed to come together as one organisation from next April, subject to the necessary regulatory approvals.

Nursery school gets top marks for fourth time in a row - 7th October 2017

Inspectors have praised its 'dynamic leadership' and children's progress.

Staff and pupils are celebrating after their nursery school was rated as ‘outstanding’ for the fourth time in a row. Inspectors said the team at Bentilee Nursery School was ‘strong’ and that children’s rates of progress were ‘accelerating in all areas of learning’.

Trust joins forces with local schools to launch new mental health and wellbeing strategy - 27th September 2017

A new mental health wellbeing strategy has been launched as part of an exciting partnership between North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust and schools across Stoke-on-Trent.

Staff from the Trust’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Schools team have been working closely with a number of primary, special and independent schools in the city to develop individual strategies to best suit their pupils.

Inspectors praise 'extraordinary' Meir school for its outstanding success - 26th September 2017

Pupils at Sandon Primary Academy even have their own farm and village of miniature houses.

A school where children have their own farm, putting green and street of miniature houses has been praised for its ‘extraordinary’ work and ‘remarkable’ learning environment. Inspectors say Sandon Primary Academy, in Meir, is outstanding in every way and staff ensure no pupil is left behind.

Is scrapping tests for seven-year-olds a good idea? - 25th September 2017

School leaders have mixed feelings about Government plans to scrap compulsory tests for seven-year-olds.

Testing children in reading, writing and maths has become a well-established part of school life. And this Thursday, the Government will be publishing the latest results, showing how well seven-year-olds have performed across the country.

SEND pupils in dozens of local authority areas stand to lose out from the government's funding shake-up, analysis indicates

Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) face "real problems" as a result of the government's funding plans, a school finance expert is warning.

Under the Department for Education's latest proposals, local authorities will be restricted in the amount of money they can transfer from the main schools budget to prop up funding for pupils with "high needs".

Consultation 20th September to 6th October 2017: Proposed changes to Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) services

I am writing to you to inform you about a consultation which is taking place with regard to proposed changes we would like to make with regard to the Special Educational Needs Service in Stoke on Trent.

I would like to give you some information in this letter and would welcome your views on the proposed changes. You may give these views in writing or by email. In addition we will be holding a consultation meeting on Tuesday 3rd October 2017 at Hazel Trees Centre, 135 Duke St, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 3NR. 1.30-2.30pm.

Changes to the funding system for schools and high needs - 14th September 2017

New national funding formulae for schools, high needs and the central school services block will be introduced from April 2018.

High needs funding is funding for children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities who need extra support at school, college or alternative provision settings. Alternative provision settings are for children who can’t go to a mainstream school.

The government is altering the current system used to assess children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who are working below the expected national curriculum standards.

The statutory requirement for teachers to use performance scales (P-scales) to assess pupils with SEND who are not working at the standard of national curriculum assessments will be removed, the government has announced today.

Sats for seven-year-olds in England to be scrapped - Thursday 14 September 2017

Government announces controversial tests will not be compulsory from 2023, as part of overhaul of primary school assessment

Primary school Sats have long been controversial, with critics arguing they put too much pressure on young children. Sats for seven-year-olds in England to be scrapped. Government announces controversial tests will not be compulsory from 2023, as part of overhaul of primary school assessment.

Education Secretary Justine Greening today (14 September) confirmed details of a new fairer funding system for schools in England, putting an end to the historic postcode lottery that saw huge differences in funding between similar schools in different parts of the country.

New assessment to provide better starting point to measure progress and the impact of schools - 14 September 2017

Plans have been announced by Education Secretary Justine Greening for a primary assessment system which focuses on pupil progress, mastering literacy and numeracy, and scrapping unnecessary workload for teachers.

Thousands of parents are being urged to complete their application forms on time if they want their children to get into popular secondary schools. It comes as the main admissions round got underway this week for pupils who are due to transfer to high schools in Autumn 2018.

The questions parents ask before applying for a school place - 6th September 2017

Principal Michael Astley urges families to look round a school during the normal working day.

Homework, school dinners, toilets and after-school clubs. Four of the topics that often come up when children ask what secondary school is like.

It’s a combination of feeling anxious and excited. After all, going from the relatively protective environment of a primary school classroom to a much bigger school is a step into the unknown for your typical 11-year-old.

Pupils, parents and teachers have been praised for GCSE results in the city, in the first year of major changes to the way performance is assessed.

A total of 2,205 pupils took GCSE examinations at 20 schools, academies and colleges across Stoke-on-Trent. Results published today show that 53.1 per cent of students achieved good grades (grades nine to four, the equivalent of A* to C-) in Maths and English.

Applications open to create 1,600 new special free school places - 27 July 2017

Nineteen local authorities open applications to sponsor new special free schools.

More than 1,600 new special free school places will be created across England as 19 local authorities invite applications to run new special free schools.

It will mean 19 new schools, providing high quality provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities, will be built through the government’s ambitious free schools programme that provides choice, innovation and higher standards for parents.

A FREE event for cildren and young adlts up to 25 yearswith disabilities and additional needs, their families, carers and all the professionals who support them.

With 90+ EXHIBITORS the event is a one stop shop for the most up to date information and advice on equipment, products, services, funding and much more.

Join in the ‘Kidz to Adultz’ atmosphere and our 10 year celebrations. You will discover the latest innovations, technology and services that are changing the face of the disability world all under one roof, in a totally accessible venue.

Once again we have a full programme of FREE, CPD and topical seminars running alongside the exhibition. You can view the full timetable HERE. Entry is free on a first come, first served basis.

Free swimming for disabled children this half term - 16th February 2019

“This is a fantastic opportunity for disabled children to get out of the house and have fun."

Free half term swimming sessions are to be made available for disabled children in Leek.

Caudwell Children, the Staffordshire based charity that provides practical and emotional support to disabled children and their families, has announced that it is to hold free swimming sessions at six swimming pools in Staffordshire, which includes Leek, during the February half term school holiday.

The charity has teamed up with Aiming High Staffordshire to fund the sessions in order to provide short break activities for children and young people with a disability, or special educational needs, aged eight to 18.

To find out more about venue location and times, and to book your place, ring Becky on 01782 433613 or you can email: becky.deri@caudwellchldren.com

Meet up at Ballington Woods, Leek at 6.30 pm with a finish time of 8.30pm. Ran by experienced Forest School Teacher, Esther. Look out for owls and bats and enjoy campfire snacks as it starts to get dark. Join in with craft activities, woodland nature trail hunts and stories around the fire.

The Local Authority is inviting chairs of parent support groups for children with disabilities or additional needs in Stoke-on-Trent to a meeting to discuss the way forward for a comprehensive parents steering group.

We have strong relationships with parents in Stoke-on-Trent and the Local Authority would like your help to discuss how we develop and agree a strategic model to ensure that Stoke-on-Trent is engaged and represented at a national level in a “Stoke” way.

The meeting will take place on Tuesday 4th September 2018, at Hazel Trees 10:30am-12:30pm.

Please note: the original date of Tuesday 24th July has now been cancelled.

Meet up at Ballington Woods, Leek at 1.30 pm with a finish time of 4.30pm. Ran by experienced Forest School Teacher, Esther this Inside Out workshop will include den building, bush craft, campfire snacks, bug hunting, exploring the woodland trail, nature arts and crafts and lots more.

The Parent Engagement Group in Stoke (PEGiS) - Wednesday 11th July 2018

PEGiS would like to invite you to a workshop focused on Play Therapy. The workshop is being held by Karina Turner from Turning Corners. There are only 20 places available and these will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. The workshop is informal and is aimed to help you to understand the world from your child's perspective.

Light refreshments will be available. Please bring your own lunch.

9.45am - 2.30pm @ Hazel Trees, 135 Duke St, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 3NR.

For more information please telephone Michelle on 07935 557380.

Wacky Woody- Thursday 28th June 2018

A very experienced entertainer, Wacky Woody will deliver a comedy magic show with fun, games and tricks and lots of group participation. This event will be held at the Foxlowe Art Centre, Leek and starts at 6.45, ending at 8.15 pm. There will be the usual Tea, Coffee and Cakes along with a Tuck shop.

Admission is £5 per family. Access is to the rear of the building, follow signs for SMDC Council Offices and turn left into the car park.

A series of events have been arranged to raise awareness of the information, advice and support available for people with learning disabilities in Stoke-on-Trent.

Learning Disability Awareness Week starts on Monday, June 18. Led by Mencap, the national campaign is aimed at raising awareness about learning disabilities and highlighting that not all learning disabilities are visible.

This year the campaign is titled Treat Me Well with an emphasis on health and staying healthy and trying to alleviate some of the barriers to doing so.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader and cabinet member for health and social care, Ann James, said: “This week is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the day-to-day issues faced by people with learning disabilities, as well as the successes of people using our services.

“Learning disability affects the person in their everyday life. It means that they require extra time or support to do things and may find some tasks or communication more difficult.

“People with learning disabilities are more likely to experience poorer health. Most people with a learning disability are treated as ‘different'. They do not have the same control over their own lives as the rest of our community and face challenges and prejudice every day. However, people with a learning disability often have unique talents and bring a fresh perspective.

“I would encourage everyone to take part in the national selfie day on Thursday and help to promote the awareness that not all disabilities are visible and everyone has an important part to play in society. Please use the hashtags #LDSTOKE18 #LDWEEK18.”

The city council is taking part in a range of events to celebrate Learning Disability Awareness Week. These include:

Monday, June 18

10am - The Atrium, Royal Stoke University Hospital

Launch event – promotional stands within the atrium. The Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent and 6 Towns Radio will be attending.

National Selfie Day. Residents of the city can take part by taking a selfie and posting it on social media using the hashtags #LDSTOKE18 #LDWEEK18. Residents are invited to visit Harplands Hospital between 10am and 4pm to upload their selfie and find out more about living with a learning disability.

The Parent Engagement Group in Stoke (PEGiS) - Wednesday 23rd May 2018

PEGiS would like to invite you to a workshop focused on Social Emotional and Mental Healt (SEMH) in Young People. The workshop is being held by Karina Turner from Turning Corners. There are only 20 places available and these will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. The workshop is informal and is aimed to help you to understand the world from your child's perspective.

Hosted by Codebreaker Dyslkexia and SprintPlus Text to Speech Software.

Libby hill from SmallTalk Speech and Language Therapy will be one of the key speakers re: The Link between Bad Behaviour and Language.

Specialist Speaker Sally Goddard Blyth from INPP will be discussing Retained Primitive Reflexes and Classroom Management. RPR can present as ASD and ADHD amongst other difficulties.

Many other SEN Workshops and Exhibitors to be announced

Tickets to be released on Eventbrite. Ticket price includes a 2 course lunch, all day refreshments, free parking, access to workshops, exhibitors and 2 key speakers. Tickets are available here

This event is open to parents/carers and educational professionals.

The Parent Engagement Group in Stoke (PEGiS) - Wednesday 18th April 2018

PEGiS would like to invite you to a workshop focused on the Impact of Drinking whilst Pregnant - Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD). The workshop is being held by Karina Turner from Turning Corners. There are only 20 places available and these will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. The workshop is informal and is aimed to help you to understand the world from your child's perspective.

Light refreshments will be available. Please bring your own lunch.

9.45am - 2.30pm @ Hazel Trees, 135 Duke St, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 3NR.

For more information please telephone Michelle on 07935 557380.

Inclusion Stakeholder Drop In - Tuesday 17th April 2018

Time: 9.30 am-12 noon (Drop in at anytime during the morning)

Venue: Hazel Trees, Duke Street, Fenton.

Parents of children and young people with special educational needs are invited to a drop in to the Hazel Trees Centre. Members of staff from Inclusion services will be there to listen to your views and ideas on how our services can support children, young people and their families.

This will also be an opportunity to hear updates on the new Electronic Hub for EHC plans and to comment as part of parental consultation on the expansion of specialist school provision in Stoke on Trent.

Please note: the event is a drop in so please take the opportunity to come at any time during the morning. We will not have the capacity to advise on individual cases – but parent contact details can be taken in the event of a query.

We look forward to seeing you!

Kidz to Adultz Exhibition - Thursday 15th March 2018

One of the largest, FREE UK exhibitions dedicated to children and young adults up to 25 years with disabilities and additional needs, their families, carers and the professionals who support them.

Chill & Chat - Friday 23rd March 2018 - 10til 12noon at Floral Hall Cafe in Tunstall Park. Including guest speaker Lorna from Positive Steps Physiotherapy delivering a session called “Looking After Yourself So That You can Look After Others!”

The Parent Engagement Group in Stoke (PEGiS) - Wednesday 14th February 2018

PEGiS would like to invite you to a workshop focused on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The workshop is being held by Karina Turner from Turning Corners. There are only 20 places available and these will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. The workshop is informal and is aimed to help you to understand the world from your child's perspective.

Chill & Chat - Wednesday 14th February 2018 - 10til 12noon at West End Community Centre, 405 London Road, ST4 5AW. Including guest speaker Lorna from Positive Steps Physiotherapy delivering a session called “Looking After Yourself So That You can Look After Others!”

Free Juice/tea/coffee will be available and there will also be a 50p tuck selling chocolate/sweets/cans of pop etc. You are welcome to bring own picnic/snacks if required. Free to children with a disability aged 0-25yrs between 10:00am - 12:30pm.

The Anti-Bullying Alliance aim to help children and young people celebrate what makes them, and others, unique and help them understand why it’s important that every child feels included in school able to be themselves without fear of bullying.

HIGH PEAK School Parent Forum - Tuesday 14th November 2017

This will be our first meeting where you can chat informally with other parents and discuss educational issues and concerns.

Deaf4Deaf will be attending the Cafe to talk about their services and how their can support deaf people in managing their mental health and wellbeing.

Deaf4Deaf deliver counselling to deaf and hard of hearing communities. Their deaf-led team can communicate in BSL (British sign language), ISL (Irish sign language), SSE (signed spoken English) or by lip-reading (orally) using visual expressions. You choose who you work with. We do not choose for you.

Free Juice/tea/coffee will be available and there will also be a 50p tuck selling chocolate/sweets/cans of pop etc. You are welcome to bring own picnic/snacks if required. Free to children with a disability aged 0-25yrs between 10:00am - 12:30pm.

1:1, 20 minute sessions with own coach and trampoline, £10, first session half price. We can cater for learning, physical, autism, visual and hearing impairment, have a hoist available. Children or adults

Free Juice/tea/coffee will be available and there will also be a 50p tuck selling chocolate/sweets/cans of pop etc. You are welcome to bring own picnic/snacks if required. Free to children with a disability aged 0-25yrs between 10:00am - 12:30pm.

Email: denise.deakin@scope.org.uk Mobile: 07921 046511

Stoke Parent Carer Forum - Friday 8th September 2017

Stoke Parent Carer Forum is a voice at a strategic level for parents and carers of disabled and SEN children. We work in partnership with commissioners and service providers to contribute towards the continual improvement of services in the Stoke area.

We want to hear from parents about their experience of services. We want to tell you what the service providers say in response. We want to help co-produce excellent services for disabled and SEN children in Stoke. Come and help us achieve our vision for Stoke where we, the parents and carers of children with a wide range of disabilities and SEN, have a strong voice to influence and develop the way all our children’s needs are met. Our next Forum meeting at 10am on Friday 8th September 2017 in the Truth Room, Smithfield Two Building.

We need to hear from you, we need your help to get this right and we welcome your contribution. At the moment we are still re-forming our group after changes earlier this year. Please come along and help us to shape the future.

Free Juice/tea/coffee will be available and there will also be a 50p tuck selling chocolate/sweets/cans of pop etc. You are welcome to bring own picnic/snacks if required. Free to children with a disability aged 0-25yrs between 10:00am - 12:30pm.

Stoke on Trent City Council are raising awareness of the benefits of employing people with a learning disability to help tackle the appallingly low levels of employment there currently are.

Carers Week - Thursday 15th June 2017

To mark this special week, the council and the Carers’ Hub are hosting a carers’ marketplace in the Kings Hall, Stoke. It will include information, stalls and demonstrations by a wide range of local organisations and businesses providing services to carers and/or those they care for.